After Academy Review, Riseborough Will Keep Oscar Nomination
NEW YORK (AP) — Following a review of the awards campaign for the independent drama Leslie, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Tuesday that Andrea Riseborough will not be stripped of her nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Riseborough's popular grassroots campaign drew skepticism from some Academy voters and caused an uproar in Hollywood. The academy announced on Friday that it will look into whether any rules have been broken. Shortly before the nomination, Riseborough entered the competition after a series of celebrity screenings of To Leslie, with several celebrities promoting it on social media.
After a phone call from To Leslie director Michael Morris and his actress wife Mary McCormack, Kate Winslet, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Amy Adams and Courteney Cox made offers to star in the film. Riseborough, a respected British actor, unexpectedly found himself in the race for Best Actress despite To Leslie's low attendance (around $27,000 at the box office).
"The Academy has determined that the activity in question does not reach a level that justifies the withdrawal of the nomination," Academy CEO Bill Cramer said in a statement. However, we found social media and awareness campaigns that raised concerns. These strategies are implemented directly with the responsible parties.
The academy withdrew its nominations for campaigns that had previously broken the rules. Celebrity-hosted shows are common during Oscar season, but the attitude towards voters during Oscar voting is common. On Tuesday, the Academy suggested that Riseborough's unorthodox campaign could call for changes to the law.
“In light of this review, it is clear that the elements of regulation need to be clarified to help create a better foundation for respectful, inclusive and fair campaigns,” Cramer said. "These changes will be made and communicated to our members after this awards cycle. The Academy aims to create an environment where ratings are based solely on the artistic and technical merit of films and the achievements they deserve."
Critics of the Riseborough campaign said it showed how a deep Rolodex could give a potential candidate an edge. Notably, Viola Davis ("The King Woman") and Danielle Deadwiller ("Teal") dropped out of the Best Actress race.
Joining Riseborough are Cate Blachette ("Pitch"), Michelle Williams ("The Storytellers"), Ana de Armas ("Blonde") and Michelle Yeoh ("All at Once").
